US20170057692A1 - Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can - Google Patents
Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170057692A1 US20170057692A1 US15/167,086 US201615167086A US2017057692A1 US 20170057692 A1 US20170057692 A1 US 20170057692A1 US 201615167086 A US201615167086 A US 201615167086A US 2017057692 A1 US2017057692 A1 US 2017057692A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- actuation tab
- end portion
- wall
- extracting
- constructive arrangement
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
- B65D17/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness
- B65D17/401—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall
- B65D17/4012—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness characterised by having the line of weakness provided in an end wall for opening partially by means of a tearing tab
-
- B65D17/165—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
- B65D2517/0001—Details
- B65D2517/001—Action for opening container
- B65D2517/0013—Action for opening container pull-out tear panel, e.g. by means of a tear-tab
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
- B65D2517/0001—Details
- B65D2517/001—Action for opening container
- B65D2517/0014—Action for opening container pivot tab and push-down tear panel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
- B65D2517/0001—Details
- B65D2517/0091—Means for venting upon initial opening
- B65D2517/0094—Means for venting upon initial opening formed as a separate opening
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
- B65D2517/50—Non-integral frangible members applied to, or inserted in, a preformed opening
- B65D2517/5072—Details of hand grip, tear- or lift-tab
- B65D2517/5075—Hand grip with finger opening
- B65D2517/5078—Hand grip with finger opening finger opening edge rolled or folded over
Definitions
- the present utility model innovation refers to a new constructive arrangement applied to a beverage can, for allowing said can to be quickly and easily opened, providing simultaneously a pouring opening and a vent opening in an end wall of the can, usually the upper wall or lid, through the manual actuation of a user/consumer over a single actuation tab, allowing said tab to be easily and quickly detached from the end wall of the can, immediately after the opening thereof.
- beverage cans having an end wall, usually the upper wall or lid, said cans being provided with a first and with a second panel, which are broken to form a pouring opening and a vent opening, respectively, the vent opening being diametrically spaced from the pouring opening, in order to assume an upper position in relation thereto, when the can is inclined to a horizontal position, in order to allow for a continuous admission of air in the interior of the can, through the vent opening, while the beverage is poured out from the can through the pouring opening.
- the provision of the vent opening allows that the beverage be released from the can in a more quickly and uniform flow.
- This PI 04003324-8 solution allows the user/consumer to form only the vent opening, by acting only over the second actuation tab.
- the vent opening ceases to have the ventilation function, operating only as an opening for the introduction of a usual straw for sipping the beverage from the interior of the can, minimizing the risks of spilling liquid.
- said prior solution requires, not only the provision of two actuation tabs, increasing the production cost of the can, but also requires the user/consumer to make two distinct operations for opening the can when he wishes to sorb the beverage through the pouring opening.
- the user/consumer has to mandatorily actuate on the second actuation tab to form the vent opening, to then actuate on the first actuation tab, so as to subsequently form the pouring opening.
- the prior solution mentioned above reduces the speed needed by a salesman, for example, to extract the beverage from the can for a large number of end consumers in a short period of time, such as in certain sports events.
- Still another known construction is disclosed in patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,973, which comprises the provision of a single actuation tab, medianly affixed in the end wall or lid of the can and having a first end to be pressed against a first breakable panel, in order to form the pouring opening, a median region coupled to a second breakable panel, in order to form a vent opening, and a second end, opposite to the first one and which defines a grip portion, to be pulled by the user away from the end wall or lid of the can, in order to provide, practically simultaneously, the rupture of the second breakable panel, thus forming the vent opening, as well as the rupture of the first breakable panel, for forming the pouring opening.
- this third known solution presents the drawback of having the actuation tab with an inadequately short grip portion, so as to be entirely contained in the interior of the contour of the upper curl (or upper edge) of the can, and also between said end wall of the latter and the plane of the upper curl, in order not to interfere in the stacking of the cans.
- the opposite gripping end of the actuation tab is positioned between the second breakable panel and the upper curl of the can, in a condition which is difficult for the user/consumer to access by using his fingers, making uncomfortable to hold the actuation tab and demanding the use of an additional tool for allowing the user/consumer to raise the opposite gripping end, at least in an initial angular travel, without the risk of hurting his fingers or breaking his nails when he starts to raise the gripping end of the actuation tab.
- this solution is not capable of providing an easy and ergonomic operation for opening the can, without the help of an auxiliary tool and of an initial opening operation using said tool.
- the present constructive arrangement is applied to a beverage can, comprising: an end wall surrounded by a peripheral edge of the can and incorporating a first wall portion and a second wall portion, which are spaced from each other and breakable for the formation of a pouring opening and of a vent opening, respectively; and an actuation tab affixed onto the end wall and having a pressing end portion, and an extracting end portion, which is affixed to the second wall portion, so that these pressing and extracting end portions may break the first and the second wall portions, respectively, upon the angular displacement of the actuation tab by applying an upward manual force to its extracting end portion.
- the actuation tab further comprises a grip portion having a hinge end affixed to the extracting end portion and a free end, the grip portion being angularly and upwardly displaced, around the hinge end thereof and by applying a manual force to its free end, from a retracted inoperative condition, in which it remains contained within the contour of the end wall, between the latter and the plane of the adjacent peripheral edge of the can, and an operative condition, of manual gripping, for applying the upward force for pivoting the actuation tab and in which it has its free end projecting upwardly from the plane of said peripheral edge ( 21 ) of the can (L).
- the constructive arrangement defined above provides a single actuation tab, which can be easily handled by the user/consumer, without requiring additional tools and not interfering in the stacking of the cans, and which promotes the rupture of the first and of the second wall portions and the consequent formation of the pouring and vent openings, by the user/consumer making only one operation for displacing the actuation tab.
- FIG. 1 represents an upper plan view of a beverage can of the type considered herein, in its closed condition and provided with the actuation tab proposed in the present innovation;
- FIG. 2 represents a diametrical sectional view of the upper portion of the can of FIG. 1 and of the lower portion of an identical can stacked over the first one, with the grip portion of the actuation tab being in the retracted inoperative condition;
- FIG. 3 represents a diametrical sectional view of the upper portion of the can of FIG. 1 , when still in the closed condition, but in which the grip portion of the actuation tab is angularly and upwardly displaced to the operative condition;
- FIG. 4 represents a diametrical sectional view of the upper end of the can of FIGS. 1 and 3 , but presenting the first and the second wall portions already ruptured, respectively, by the pressing end portion and by the extracting end portion of the actuation tab, when the user/consumer moves the latter;
- FIG. 5 represents a view with a section similar to that of FIG. 4 , but with the actuation tab removed from the can;
- FIG. 6 represents an upper plan view of the can of FIG. 5 , already deprived of the actuation tab and illustrating the first and the second wall portions already ruptured and defining the pouring opening and the vent opening.
- a beverage can L of the type which comprises an end wall 10 , usually in the form of an upper lid and surrounded by an adjacent peripheral edge 21 defined in one of the ends of a usually cylindrical lateral wall 20 of the can L, said end wall 10 incorporating a first and a second wall portion 11 , 12 , which are spaced from each other, generally in an opposite diametrical arrangement, which wall portions are broken along respective weakened lines 11 a , 12 a, so as to form a pouring opening A 1 and a vent opening A 2 , respectively, as better illustrated in FIG. 6 .
- This type of can may be constructed in different well known prior art techniques which are not part of the present innovation.
- the can L further comprises an actuation tab 30 , constructed in a single piece and in any metallic alloy adequate to the present application, and which is medianly affixed in an external central region 13 of the end wall 10 through a retaining element 40 , having any known construction and which, for example, may take the form of a rivet 41 , hermetically incorporated to the end wall 10 , in order to allow the actuation tab 30 to be angularly and manually displaced, in a vertical plane, upon the opening of the can L, as described hereinafter.
- actuation tab 30 constructed in a single piece and in any metallic alloy adequate to the present application, and which is medianly affixed in an external central region 13 of the end wall 10 through a retaining element 40 , having any known construction and which, for example, may take the form of a rivet 41 , hermetically incorporated to the end wall 10 , in order to allow the actuation tab 30 to be angularly and manually displaced, in a vertical plane, upon the opening of the can L,
- the actuation tab 30 has a pressing end portion 31 , positioned onto the first wall portion 11 , and an extracting end portion 32 , positioned onto the second wall portion 12 and affixed to the latter by means of a connecting element 50 , which in the illustrated construction takes the form of an extracting pin 51 , having one end hermetically and solidly affixed to the second wall portion 12 and with the opposite end incorporated or otherwise affixed to the extracting end portion 32 .
- the first and the second wall portions 11 , 12 are ruptured, respectively, by the pressing end portion 31 and by the extracting end portion 32 , upon the angular displacement of the actuation tab 30 , in a vertical plane and around its median region for fixation to the end wall 10 , by applying an upward manual force to its extracting end portion 32 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- the actuation tab 30 further comprises a grip portion 33 having a hinge end 33 a affixed to the extracting end portion 32 , and a free end 33 b.
- the grip portion 33 takes the form of a preferably axial extension of the extracting end portion 32 of the actuation tab 30 .
- the grip portion 33 of the actuation tab 30 may be constructed in different manners, being preferably formed in a single piece with the pressing end portion 31 and the extracting end portion 32 of the actuation tab 30 .
- the grip portion 33 is angularly and upwardly displaced, around the hinge end 33 a thereof and by application of a manual force to its free end 33 b, from a retracted inoperative condition ( FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in full lines), in which it remains contained within the contour of the end wall 10 , between the latter and the plane of the adjacent peripheral edge 21 of the can L, and an operative condition ( FIG. 3 —dashed line), of manual grasp, in order to apply the upward force for pivoting the actuation tab 30 and in which it its free end 33 b projects upwardly from the plane of said peripheral edge ( 21 ) of the can (L).
- the grip portion 33 of the actuation tab 30 in the form of an axial extension of the extracting end portion 32 , remains positioned on both the extracting end portion 32 and the pressing end portion 31 , when in its retracted inoperative condition, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and in full lines in FIG. 3 .
- the grip portion 33 of the actuation tab 30 remains positioned between the end wall 10 of the can L and the plane of the peripheral edge 21 of the latter, not interfering in the bottom of an identical can L stacked over the first one.
- FIG. 3 illustrates the angular upward displacement of the grip portion 33 of the actuation tab 10 , from its retracted inoperative condition, to its operative condition, illustrated in dashed lines and in which it can be easily grasped by the user/consumer, who thus may exert an additional upward force capable of causing the angular displacement of the pressing end portion 31 and of the extracting end portion 32 of the actuation tab 30 , around its median point for fixation to the end wall 10 and, consequently, break the first wall portion 11 and the second wall portion 12 , forming the pouring opening A 1 and the vent opening A 2 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- the actuation tab 30 After the opening of the can L, the actuation tab 30 , incorporating its grip portion 33 , must be completely detached from the end wall 10 , as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , in which it may be noted that only a fixing median portion 30 a, of the actuation tab 30 , which surrounds the retaining element 40 , remains retained, with the latter, in the end wall 10 . The remaining part of the actuation tab 30 is detached from the can L and may be discarded, the rupture of the actuation tab 30 being made so as not to leave a cutting burr in the region of the pouring opening A 1 .
- the fixing median portion 30 a is incorporated to the pressing end portion 31 of the actuation tab 30 by a rupture region R.
- the fixing median portion 30 a and the retention element 40 remain retained to the end wall 10 of the can L after the rupture region R is ruptured by a continued manual displacement of the actuation tab 30 , with a reduced number of oscillations thereof, after the formation of the pouring and vent openings A 1 , A 2 .
- the rupture region R has a thickness which is reduced in relation to the thickness of the pressing end portion 31 and of the fixing median portion, allowing the rupture region R to collapse by fatigue, upon few alternative oscillating displacements of the actuation tab around R and in a plane orthogonal to that one of the end wall 10 .
- rupture region R can be formed by other constructions different from that one defined by a joining line presenting a continuous reduced thickness.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Containers Opened By Tearing Frangible Portions (AREA)
Abstract
The can (L) comprises an end wall (10) having a first wall portion and a second wall portion (11, 12), which are broken in order to form a pouring opening (A1) and a vent opening (A2), and an actuation tab (30) pivoted in the end wall (10) and having a pressing end portion (31) and an extracting end portion (32). The first and the second wall portions (11, 12) are ruptured by the pressing end portion (31) and by the extracting end portion (32), upon the pivoting movement of the actuation tab (30) by applying a manual upward force to its extracting end portion (32). The actuation tab (30) further comprises a grip portion (33) having a hinge end (33 a), affixed to the extracting end portion (32), and a free end (33 b), the grip portion (33) being manually, angularly and upwardly displaced, around its hinge end (33 a), from a retracted inoperative condition, in which it remains contained between the end wall (10) and the plane of an adjacent peripheral edge (21) of the can (L), and an operative condition, in which it has its free end (33 b) projecting upwardly from the plane of said peripheral edge (21) of the can (L).
Description
- This application claims priority of Brazilian
Patent Application BR 20 2015 021168 1 filed on Sep. 1, 2015; BrazilianPatent Application BR 20 2016 000915 0 filed on Jan. 15, 2016; and BrazilianPatent Application BR 20 2016 006035 0 filed on Mar. 18, 2016. - The present utility model innovation refers to a new constructive arrangement applied to a beverage can, for allowing said can to be quickly and easily opened, providing simultaneously a pouring opening and a vent opening in an end wall of the can, usually the upper wall or lid, through the manual actuation of a user/consumer over a single actuation tab, allowing said tab to be easily and quickly detached from the end wall of the can, immediately after the opening thereof.
- It is well known from the art the use of beverage cans having an end wall, usually the upper wall or lid, said cans being provided with a first and with a second panel, which are broken to form a pouring opening and a vent opening, respectively, the vent opening being diametrically spaced from the pouring opening, in order to assume an upper position in relation thereto, when the can is inclined to a horizontal position, in order to allow for a continuous admission of air in the interior of the can, through the vent opening, while the beverage is poured out from the can through the pouring opening. The provision of the vent opening allows that the beverage be released from the can in a more quickly and uniform flow.
- In a known solution, disclosed in Brazilian patent PI04003324-8, the rupture of the first breakable panel, which forms the pouring opening, is obtained by actuation of the user/consumer over a first actuation tab, whereas the rupture of the second breakable panel, which forms the vent opening, is obtained by actuation of the user/consumer over a second actuation tab.
- This previous construction demands the provision of two actuation tabs, requiring the user/consumer to actuate over the second actuation tab, detaching it from the end wall or lid of the can jointly with the second breakable panel and forming the vent opening, for making the first actuation tab to be accessible to the user/consumer, so that he may actuate the latter and break the first breakable panel, thus forming the pouring opening.
- This PI 04003324-8 solution allows the user/consumer to form only the vent opening, by acting only over the second actuation tab. In such case, the vent opening ceases to have the ventilation function, operating only as an opening for the introduction of a usual straw for sipping the beverage from the interior of the can, minimizing the risks of spilling liquid.
- However, said prior solution (PI 04003324-8) requires, not only the provision of two actuation tabs, increasing the production cost of the can, but also requires the user/consumer to make two distinct operations for opening the can when he wishes to sorb the beverage through the pouring opening. The user/consumer has to mandatorily actuate on the second actuation tab to form the vent opening, to then actuate on the first actuation tab, so as to subsequently form the pouring opening. Besides requiring two operations from the user/consumer, in order to provide the pouring opening, by obliging him to primarily form the vent opening, the prior solution mentioned above reduces the speed needed by a salesman, for example, to extract the beverage from the can for a large number of end consumers in a short period of time, such as in certain sports events.
- Another known solution is disclosed in patent US 2014/0263320 A1, which comprises the provision of both a pouring opening and a vent opening which are opened by the user/consumer upon acting over a single actuation tab, in two distinct moments and by means of two non-simultaneous operations.
- Although describing the use of a single actuation tab, this other prior solution (US 2014/0263320 A1) requires the user/consumer to make two distinct operations to provide the pouring opening and the vent opening, by using the same actuation tab, which, after being used to form one of the two openings, usually the pouring opening, must be rotated to a second position, in which it may be actuated to form the other of said openings in the end wall or lid of the can.
- Experiences carried out with this type of solution proved that the accomplishment of two distinct operations by the user/consumer, in order to provide, besides the pouring opening, the vent opening, is invariably abandoned by the final consumer, which provides only the operation necessary to form the pouring opening, failing to carry out the operation for forming the vent opening. Besides the operational drawbacks mentioned above, this known technical solution is complex to produce and has a high manufacture cost.
- Still another known construction is disclosed in patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,973, which comprises the provision of a single actuation tab, medianly affixed in the end wall or lid of the can and having a first end to be pressed against a first breakable panel, in order to form the pouring opening, a median region coupled to a second breakable panel, in order to form a vent opening, and a second end, opposite to the first one and which defines a grip portion, to be pulled by the user away from the end wall or lid of the can, in order to provide, practically simultaneously, the rupture of the second breakable panel, thus forming the vent opening, as well as the rupture of the first breakable panel, for forming the pouring opening.
- In this this prior art solution, the user promotes, by means of a single operation effected over an also single actuation tab, the practically simultaneous and compulsory rupture of the first and of the second breakable panels, that is, the formation of both the vent opening and the pouring opening.
- Although using only one actuation tab and requiring only one operation from the user/consumer to provide the two openings in the end wall or lid of the can, this third known solution presents the drawback of having the actuation tab with an inadequately short grip portion, so as to be entirely contained in the interior of the contour of the upper curl (or upper edge) of the can, and also between said end wall of the latter and the plane of the upper curl, in order not to interfere in the stacking of the cans.
- In this third known solution, the opposite gripping end of the actuation tab is positioned between the second breakable panel and the upper curl of the can, in a condition which is difficult for the user/consumer to access by using his fingers, making uncomfortable to hold the actuation tab and demanding the use of an additional tool for allowing the user/consumer to raise the opposite gripping end, at least in an initial angular travel, without the risk of hurting his fingers or breaking his nails when he starts to raise the gripping end of the actuation tab.
- Thus, although using only one actuation tab and requiring, theoretically, a single operation for the simultaneous formation of the two openings (pouring opening and vent opening), this solution is not capable of providing an easy and ergonomic operation for opening the can, without the help of an auxiliary tool and of an initial opening operation using said tool.
- Due to the drawbacks cited above and related to the known solutions for providing the opening of a beverage can, having an end wall or lid provided with breakable wall portions for the formation of a pouring opening and of a vent opening, respectively, it is the object of the present innovation to provide an improved constructive arrangement, which is relatively simple to construct with a reduced cost, comprising a single actuation tab, which is ergonomic and easy to be operated by the user/consumer, without requiring the use of additional tools, without interfering in the stacking of the cans and provoking the rupture of the first and of the second wall portions and the consequent formation of the pouring and vent openings, through only one displacement of the actuation tab made by the user/consumer.
- It is an additional object of the invention to provide an improved constructive arrangement as disclosed above and which allows the user/consumer to detach the actuation tab from the end wall of the can in an easy and complete manner, by means of a simple and quick operation, without requiring that, after forming the two openings, the user/consumer is forced to submit the actuation tab to several angular and alternative displacements to provide its rupture at the adequate region.
- The present constructive arrangement is applied to a beverage can, comprising: an end wall surrounded by a peripheral edge of the can and incorporating a first wall portion and a second wall portion, which are spaced from each other and breakable for the formation of a pouring opening and of a vent opening, respectively; and an actuation tab affixed onto the end wall and having a pressing end portion, and an extracting end portion, which is affixed to the second wall portion, so that these pressing and extracting end portions may break the first and the second wall portions, respectively, upon the angular displacement of the actuation tab by applying an upward manual force to its extracting end portion.
- According to the present innovation, the actuation tab further comprises a grip portion having a hinge end affixed to the extracting end portion and a free end, the grip portion being angularly and upwardly displaced, around the hinge end thereof and by applying a manual force to its free end, from a retracted inoperative condition, in which it remains contained within the contour of the end wall, between the latter and the plane of the adjacent peripheral edge of the can, and an operative condition, of manual gripping, for applying the upward force for pivoting the actuation tab and in which it has its free end projecting upwardly from the plane of said peripheral edge (21) of the can (L).
- The constructive arrangement defined above provides a single actuation tab, which can be easily handled by the user/consumer, without requiring additional tools and not interfering in the stacking of the cans, and which promotes the rupture of the first and of the second wall portions and the consequent formation of the pouring and vent openings, by the user/consumer making only one operation for displacing the actuation tab.
- The innovation will be described below, with reference being made to the appended drawings, given by way of example of a possible embodiment for the present constructive arrangement, and in which:
-
FIG. 1 represents an upper plan view of a beverage can of the type considered herein, in its closed condition and provided with the actuation tab proposed in the present innovation; -
FIG. 2 represents a diametrical sectional view of the upper portion of the can ofFIG. 1 and of the lower portion of an identical can stacked over the first one, with the grip portion of the actuation tab being in the retracted inoperative condition; -
FIG. 3 represents a diametrical sectional view of the upper portion of the can ofFIG. 1 , when still in the closed condition, but in which the grip portion of the actuation tab is angularly and upwardly displaced to the operative condition; -
FIG. 4 represents a diametrical sectional view of the upper end of the can ofFIGS. 1 and 3 , but presenting the first and the second wall portions already ruptured, respectively, by the pressing end portion and by the extracting end portion of the actuation tab, when the user/consumer moves the latter; -
FIG. 5 represents a view with a section similar to that ofFIG. 4 , but with the actuation tab removed from the can; and -
FIG. 6 represents an upper plan view of the can ofFIG. 5 , already deprived of the actuation tab and illustrating the first and the second wall portions already ruptured and defining the pouring opening and the vent opening. - As illustrated in the appended drawings and as commented above, the present constructive arrangement is applied to a beverage can L of the type which comprises an
end wall 10, usually in the form of an upper lid and surrounded by an adjacentperipheral edge 21 defined in one of the ends of a usually cylindricallateral wall 20 of the can L, saidend wall 10 incorporating a first and asecond wall portion lines FIG. 6 . This type of can may be constructed in different well known prior art techniques which are not part of the present innovation. - The can L further comprises an
actuation tab 30, constructed in a single piece and in any metallic alloy adequate to the present application, and which is medianly affixed in an externalcentral region 13 of theend wall 10 through a retaining element 40, having any known construction and which, for example, may take the form of a rivet 41, hermetically incorporated to theend wall 10, in order to allow theactuation tab 30 to be angularly and manually displaced, in a vertical plane, upon the opening of the can L, as described hereinafter. - The
actuation tab 30 has apressing end portion 31, positioned onto thefirst wall portion 11, and an extractingend portion 32, positioned onto thesecond wall portion 12 and affixed to the latter by means of a connecting element 50, which in the illustrated construction takes the form of an extracting pin 51, having one end hermetically and solidly affixed to thesecond wall portion 12 and with the opposite end incorporated or otherwise affixed to the extractingend portion 32. - The first and the
second wall portions pressing end portion 31 and by the extractingend portion 32, upon the angular displacement of theactuation tab 30, in a vertical plane and around its median region for fixation to theend wall 10, by applying an upward manual force to its extractingend portion 32, as illustrated inFIG. 4 . - According to the innovation, the
actuation tab 30 further comprises agrip portion 33 having ahinge end 33 a affixed to the extractingend portion 32, and afree end 33 b. In the illustrated construction, thegrip portion 33 takes the form of a preferably axial extension of the extractingend portion 32 of theactuation tab 30. - The
grip portion 33 of theactuation tab 30 may be constructed in different manners, being preferably formed in a single piece with thepressing end portion 31 and the extractingend portion 32 of theactuation tab 30. - As illustrated in the sequence of
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , thegrip portion 33 is angularly and upwardly displaced, around thehinge end 33 a thereof and by application of a manual force to itsfree end 33 b, from a retracted inoperative condition (FIG. 2 andFIG. 3 in full lines), in which it remains contained within the contour of theend wall 10, between the latter and the plane of the adjacentperipheral edge 21 of the can L, and an operative condition (FIG. 3 —dashed line), of manual grasp, in order to apply the upward force for pivoting theactuation tab 30 and in which it itsfree end 33 b projects upwardly from the plane of said peripheral edge (21) of the can (L). - In the illustrated construction, the
grip portion 33 of theactuation tab 30, in the form of an axial extension of the extractingend portion 32, remains positioned on both the extractingend portion 32 and thepressing end portion 31, when in its retracted inoperative condition, as illustrated inFIG. 2 and in full lines inFIG. 3 . - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , when in its retracted inoperative condition, thegrip portion 33 of theactuation tab 30 remains positioned between theend wall 10 of the can L and the plane of theperipheral edge 21 of the latter, not interfering in the bottom of an identical can L stacked over the first one. -
FIG. 3 illustrates the angular upward displacement of thegrip portion 33 of theactuation tab 10, from its retracted inoperative condition, to its operative condition, illustrated in dashed lines and in which it can be easily grasped by the user/consumer, who thus may exert an additional upward force capable of causing the angular displacement of thepressing end portion 31 and of the extractingend portion 32 of theactuation tab 30, around its median point for fixation to theend wall 10 and, consequently, break thefirst wall portion 11 and thesecond wall portion 12, forming the pouring opening A1 and the vent opening A2, as illustrated inFIG. 4 . - After the opening of the can L, the
actuation tab 30, incorporating itsgrip portion 33, must be completely detached from theend wall 10, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6 , in which it may be noted that only a fixingmedian portion 30 a, of theactuation tab 30, which surrounds the retaining element 40, remains retained, with the latter, in theend wall 10. The remaining part of theactuation tab 30 is detached from the can L and may be discarded, the rupture of theactuation tab 30 being made so as not to leave a cutting burr in the region of the pouring opening A1. - In order to facilitate and to make faster the detaching of the
actuation tab 30 from theend wall 10 of the can L, allowing the user/consumer to drink the liquid directly from the pouring opening A1, in an adequate and without the risk of being injured, thefixing median portion 30 a is incorporated to thepressing end portion 31 of theactuation tab 30 by a rupture region R. - With the construction above cited, the
fixing median portion 30 a and the retention element 40 remain retained to theend wall 10 of the can L after the rupture region R is ruptured by a continued manual displacement of theactuation tab 30, with a reduced number of oscillations thereof, after the formation of the pouring and vent openings A1, A2. - In the preferred construction illustrated in the drawings, the rupture region R has a thickness which is reduced in relation to the thickness of the
pressing end portion 31 and of the fixing median portion, allowing the rupture region R to collapse by fatigue, upon few alternative oscillating displacements of the actuation tab around R and in a plane orthogonal to that one of theend wall 10. - It should be understood that the rupture region R can be formed by other constructions different from that one defined by a joining line presenting a continuous reduced thickness.
- Thus, constructive solution proposed herein allows the single actuation tab, which is extremely simple to grasp and which, when submitted to an opening operation, promotes the simultaneous or practically simultaneous formation of the pouring opening A1 and of the vent opening A2, to be easily and quickly detached from the can upon a few displacements of the actuation tab by the user/consumer.
- Regarding the description above, it should be understood that the ideal dimensional relationships for the component parts of the innovation, in order to include variations as to size, materials, geometric forms, functions and mode of operation, assembly and usage, are promptly considered as apparent and obvious for a skilled person, and all the relationships, which are equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, should be understood as encompassed by the present innovation.
- Thus, while only one way of carrying out the present innovation has been illustrated herein, it should be understood that changes as to the shape and formation of the component parts may be made, without departing from the scope of protection as defined in the claims that accompany the present specification.
Claims (7)
1. A constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can, comprising: an end wall (10) surrounded by an adjacent peripheral edge (21) of the can (L) and incorporating a first wall portion (11) and a second wall portion (12), which are spaced from each other and breakable in order to form a pouring opening (A1) and a vent opening (A2), respectively; an actuation tab (30), affixed to an external central region (13) of the end wall (10) by means of a retaining element (40) and having a pressing end portion (31), positioned on the first wall portion (11), and an extracting end portion (32), positioned on the second wall portion (12) and affixed to the latter, the first and the second wall portions (11, 12) being ruptured, respectively, by the pressing end portion (31) and by the extracting end portion (32), upon the angular displacement of the actuation tab (30) by applying a manual upward force to its extracting end portion (32), said constructive arrangement being characterized in that the actuation tab (30) further comprises a grip portion (33), having a hinge end (33 a) affixed to the extracting end portion (32), and a free end (33 b), the grip portion (33) being angularly and upwardly displaced, around its hinge end (33 a) and by application of a manual force in its free end (33 b), from a retracted inoperative condition, in which it remains contained within the contour of the end wall (10), between the latter and the plane of the adjacent peripheral edge (21) of the can (L), and an operative condition, of manual grasp, for applying the upward force for the angular displacement of the actuation tab (30) and in which it has its free end (33 b) projecting upwardly from the plane of said peripheral edge (21) of the can (L).
2. The constructive arrangement, according to claim 1 , characterized in that the actuation tab (30) comprises a fixing median portion (30 a) surrounding the retaining element (40) and which remains retained, jointly with the latter, to the end wall (10) of the can (L), when the remaining part of the actuation tab (30) is detached from the can (L) after the opening of the latter.
3. The constructive arrangement, according to claim 2 , characterized in that the fixing median portion (30 a) is incorporated to the pressing end portion (31) of the actuation tab (30) by a rupture region (R), the fixing median portion (30 a) and the retention element (40) remaining retained to the end wall (10) of the can (L) after the rupture of the rupture region (R) as a result of continuous manual displacement of the actuation tab (30), after the formation of the pouring and vent openings (A1, A2).
4. The constructive arrangement, according to claim 3 , characterized in that the rupture region (R) has a thickness reduced in relation to the thickness of the pressing end portion (31) and the fixing median portion (30 a).
5. The constructive arrangement, according to claim 1 , characterized in that the grip portion (33) takes the form of an extension of the extracting end portion (32) of the actuation tab (30).
6. The constructive arrangement, according to claim 1 , characterized in that the grip portion (33) is formed in a single piece with the pressing end portion (31) and the extracting end portion (32) of the actuation tab (30).
7. The constructive arrangement, according to claim 1 , characterized in that the grip portion (33) is an axial extension of the extracting end portion (32) and remains positioned on both the extracting end portion (32) and the pressing end portion (31) when in its retracted inoperative condition.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
BR202015021168U BR202015021168U2 (en) | 2015-09-01 | 2015-09-01 | beverage can opening device with handle |
BR2020150211681 | 2015-09-01 | ||
BR202016000915 | 2016-01-15 | ||
BR2020160009150 | 2016-01-15 | ||
BR2020160060350 | 2016-03-18 | ||
BR202016006035-0U BR202016006035U2 (en) | 2016-03-18 | 2016-03-18 | IMPROVEMENT IN CONSTRUCTIVE DISPOSAL FOR OPENING A CAN OF DRINK |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170057692A1 true US20170057692A1 (en) | 2017-03-02 |
Family
ID=58103723
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/167,086 Abandoned US20170057692A1 (en) | 2015-09-01 | 2016-05-27 | Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20170057692A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2017035618A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10968009B2 (en) | 2016-12-01 | 2021-04-06 | João Marques Fernandes | Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can |
US11434046B2 (en) | 2016-11-25 | 2022-09-06 | João Marques Fernandes | Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3301434A (en) * | 1964-12-11 | 1967-01-31 | Harvey Aluminum Inc | Can opener |
US20100219188A1 (en) * | 2007-10-23 | 2010-09-02 | Charles Chang | Aluminum container |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3221924A (en) * | 1964-12-11 | 1965-12-07 | Harvey Aluminum Inc | Can opener |
US3434622A (en) * | 1967-04-27 | 1969-03-25 | Geza Czegledy | Easy opener for can tops |
US4108330A (en) * | 1977-06-08 | 1978-08-22 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Easy open container end assembly |
JPH09301364A (en) * | 1996-05-08 | 1997-11-25 | Yoji Asahi | Device for opening liquid containing can |
US5819973A (en) | 1996-12-31 | 1998-10-13 | Traub, Sr.; John J. | Beverage container lid having a lift tab for opening an aperture and vent hole |
BRPI0403324B1 (en) | 2004-08-03 | 2015-07-07 | João Marques Fernandes | Beverage Can Opening Arrangement |
US9181007B2 (en) | 2013-03-12 | 2015-11-10 | Rexam Beverage Can Company | Beverage can end with vent port |
-
2016
- 2016-05-27 US US15/167,086 patent/US20170057692A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-08-26 WO PCT/BR2016/050211 patent/WO2017035618A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3301434A (en) * | 1964-12-11 | 1967-01-31 | Harvey Aluminum Inc | Can opener |
US20100219188A1 (en) * | 2007-10-23 | 2010-09-02 | Charles Chang | Aluminum container |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11434046B2 (en) | 2016-11-25 | 2022-09-06 | João Marques Fernandes | Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can |
US10968009B2 (en) | 2016-12-01 | 2021-04-06 | João Marques Fernandes | Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2017035618A1 (en) | 2017-03-09 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2364921B1 (en) | Double opening system for beverage cans | |
US10556718B2 (en) | End closure with a ring pull actuated secondary vent | |
US9233784B2 (en) | Vented metallic container end closure | |
US4207781A (en) | Container opening device | |
US8783496B2 (en) | Double-opening can lid | |
US3796344A (en) | Non-detachable tear strip and pull tab structure for easy opening container | |
US20120199586A1 (en) | Lid for a beverage can | |
KR101837009B1 (en) | Lid for containers of substances and container of substances thus equipped | |
US20150001220A1 (en) | Can Comprising a First, Dispense Opening and Second, Vent Opening and a Single Pull Tab | |
US10968009B2 (en) | Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can | |
US9714115B2 (en) | Vented container end closure | |
US20140325943A1 (en) | Beverage container with mouth opening and vent | |
US20170057692A1 (en) | Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can | |
US20150183547A1 (en) | Shotgun accessible beer can | |
EP3544899B1 (en) | Constructive arrangement for the opening of a beverage can | |
JP3218885U (en) | Beverage can | |
JP2015137132A (en) | Can-top and rotary tab | |
KR200436953Y1 (en) | Openable structure of can lid | |
JP2015131671A (en) | can lid and rotary tab | |
KR200341591Y1 (en) | A cap cover | |
BR202017003226Y1 (en) | CONSTRUCTIVE ARRANGEMENT FOR OPENING A DRINK CAN | |
JP2001278310A (en) | Hinged cap | |
BR202016000915U2 (en) | CONSTRUCTIVE DISPOSITION FOR OPENING A CAN OF DRINK |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |